Puppy dos and don't?

We are collecting our lab puppy in a few weeks. Trying to mend broken hearts. Our beloved dog died and we are now ready.

I have been reading the Pippa Matthieson book. Things have moved on since I last had a puppy. We got our last dog aged one. She was poorly socialised and could get anxious. She was however beautifully trained and a pleasure to be around.

I have been stalking the dog house for a while and there seem to be lots of people despairing of puppies. I fully understand how exhausting a puppy is. Its a massive commitment. We are both around full time so day care etc is not an issue for us.

So, my question is what advice would you give to someone starting out again. Books to read. Tips. Training. First weeks. Toddler phase. Things to buy/ not to buy.

- it can take a looong time to find a good puppy class. Don't rush to choose and don't be afraid to walk away if you don't like it. If it's not fun then it's not working for you (regardless of the trainer's credentials) so find one you and your dog enjoy.- this too will pass: behaviours come and go when they are young, normally they don't last so don't despair the first time he (or she) barks at another dog, it doesn't mean he will do so forever. Be patient and help him through it.- he doesn't need to learn everything within the first few weeks. Take your time with him.

Don't waste money on expensive beds. Puppies sleep very well on vet beds and they clean and dry very easily. Expensive beds are for adult dogs.

Get some crocs (or other shes very easy to slip on), a torch and a warm dressing gown for nighttime toilet breaks.

Oh, and take way more photos and videos than you think you should. They are little puppies for such a very short amount of time and you will want to look back fondly when all the chaos of puppyhood is long forgotten.

Toys! We spent a fortune on toys because a bored dog is a destructive dog.

Start teaching them early about separation to avoid the stress of separation anxiety.

Noise! Get them used to fireworks and thunder noises early using YouTube sound tracks just in case they are a dog that might be more sensitive. I wish I had known this earlier as my dog is beyond help with anxiety when she hears either of these noises sadly.